NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL

 As most of you know I always start with a sketch on tissue paper.  I like to place it where I plan on using it to make sure the size is right and the pose and the position.

 I cut a thin piece of background fabric to place all the feathers on.

 The eyes and tiny and require a lot of patience to cut out.

 I use the tissue to place all the eye parts.

 He looks very wierd here but you must have faith that once all this comes together and he gets a
haircut....or should I say a feather cut...he will look oh so much better.

 Better but still pretty crazy.

The feather trim helped a lot...see what did I tell you.   Now the tail feathers which are furthest back go on.

 Then the wing feathers are constructed and placed on.  Chest feathers are added and he is done.

Saw Whet Owls are very small....maybe around 7 or 8 inches.  So he sits up on this little tree like a tree top ornament.  Now to quilt him which will make his feathers come alive.

BRANCHES & NEEDLES

 Had a day to work in the studio today.  It snowed last night so had shoveling to do etc and did not go into town to work on Bob's shop that he is closing up.  So it was an unexpected treat to have a full day to work on this new piece.   I started by adding two branches to the main trunk.  I quilted the bark and then added the needles. 

Once I finished the two new branches I added a third to the foreground and proceeded to quilt the bark and add needles.  This was pretty much an entire days work but lots of progress was made.

Background finished

Okay....the background and inner border is finished.  The long needles on the pine are quilted in.
Now for the foreground.  This will take a bit longer but so far so good.

I love the border fabric and have been waiting since last September to find a use or it.  I bought it at the Quilt Expo in Madison.  Love how it reflects the background.